The United States of America is a nation or meta-nation resting upon a foundation of ideas. The documents selected for our four days of seminar are brief, focused, and electric in their power to spark the fire of liberty, equality, and justice upon which we Americans stand. The first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, basically written by Thomas Jefferson, may be history’s greatest political text. They make America rival Sparta as a people carrying their beliefs and code of ideas primarily in their hearts. Washington’s “Farewell Address” and Lincoln’s two inaugurals frame the power, duty, and vision of American leadership. Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” is America’s poem of true patriotism.

Participants will meet once each day from July 13–16 for a two-hour online seminar from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MST.

Teachers joining us for this online seminar will discuss the texts in a small, interactive class led by St. John’s College faculty. The seminar will also include conversation about ways in which the ideas and texts explored together might be integrated into participants’ own classrooms and teaching.

Please note that registration for this summer seminar will be limited. Priority during the registration process will be given to current K–12 classroom educators.